Back traction device for use with chairs

ABSTRACT

A back traction device is disclosed that allows a patient or person to be seated in any type of seat and will relieve the pressure and tension on the disc of the lower back of the patient as much as possible. The back traction device comprises a halter with ribs that serve to transfer some of the pressure that is associated with setting in a chair when the patient is seated in the chair. The back traction device includes a halter and a traction member. The halter has strips of Velcro™ at an outward rear position that mate with Velcro™ portions on the traction device that is attached to a chair or the like. In one embodiment, the traction device comprises a member that has straps that allow it to be removably attached to a chair and, in a second embodiment, the Velcro™ traction device is permanently attached to the back of a chair. The second embodiment is particularly useful in a dedicated chair, for frequent use by people wearing such halter, such as a wheelchair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention in general relates to a back traction device and moreparticularly to such a a device including a halter member adapted to beworn by a person and a traction member adapted to be fitted to a chair.Such traction device, when the two members are adjustably securedtogether, with the patient or person seated in the chair, will providetraction to and reduce the pressure on the disc of the lower back. Thisresults in a reduction of the pain in the lower back.

In the past several years, the medical literature has commented onvarious aspects regarding back injuries. Many of the authorities in thefield suggest that a patient should not lay down for a long period oftime after a severe back injury, but instead should begin resumingnormal activities as soon as possible. Of course, these normalactivities would include such things as sitting in a chair.

Other articles in the medical literature have studied the effect ofvarious postures upon a patient's back. It has been determined that aseating position increases the pressure on a person's lower back by afactor of as much as 140% to 200% of body weight. It has been determinedthat it is important that a back injury patient have very good supportand thereby decrease the pressure in the disc of the lower back as muchas possible when using a seat of any type. The medical literaturesuggested the use of various types of seats with adjustable backs thatwill conform to and support a patient's back properly.

To actually achieve the above-stated goals has been difficult inpractice since a patient might be exposed to several types of chairs inany one day. Even a better or properly fitted chair results in anincrease in the pressure in the disc of the lower back as much as 140%.The patient may be utilizing an automobile chair, an airplane seat, orany type of office chair. It is impractical for all of these types ofchairs to be adjustable to the individual's back.

Back braces are known that transfer some of the pressure from the discto other structure in a patient's back. This type of thoracic halter isfitted around the patient to secure and stabilize him. However, suchdevices, while relieving tension or pressure from the disc of the lowerback, do not solve the overall problem.

It would be desirable to transfer or decrease some of the pressure thatis associated with sitting to allow the chair to carry the load when thepatient is seated in the chair rather than the "other structure" in apatient's back.

It would also be desirable for the traction device to be used by aperson with any type of chair having a seat in which the individualsits.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a back tractiondevice that has a thoracic halter worn by a user and a traction membermounted on the back of a chair whereby, when the user is seated, thepressure in the disc of the lower back is transferred to the chair,relieving the patient's or user's lower back pain.

It is further an object of this invention to provide such a backtraction device that may be adapted for use with any type of chair orany type of waist-worn halter construction.

Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide such aseated or back traction device including a combination halter member andtraction member that is relatively simple to manufacture and utilize.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention consists of a combination of a traction member and a backhalter member, wherein both the traction member and the back haltermember have mating securing surfaces formed thereon. The halter memberis fitted around the user or patient, the traction member is attached toa chair, and the patient or user then is seated in the chair. The matingsecuring surfaces on the traction member and the halter or halter memberare engaged, and the weight of the upper body of the wearer istransferred from the halter to the chair through the back tractiondevice.

The traction member of the back traction device may be fitted to anychair and can be adapted so as to be fitted over airline seats or thelike. In addition, if a chair is to be dedicated, that is, used solelyby an individual who will be wearing such a combination, the chair mayhave the mating surface formed integrally thereon. For instance, awheelchair may have a mating securing portion formed on the back of theupholstery that will secure a halter that may be worn by the wheelchairoccupant.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention consists of a halter orhalter member that has an elongate central portion and two elongate wingportions that wrap around the patient's waist. The wing portions areformed with mating securing surfaces that secure the halter to thepatient, and the elongate central portion is formed with a securingsurface on the rear thereof. The securing surface on the rear of theelongate central portion of the halter is mounted preferably around thewaist to support the ribs and upper body weight from the halter, thusbetter transferring the weight from the halter to the chair. Thesecuring surfaces are preferably formed of a hook and loop fasteningmeans or strips.

The traction device in a preferred embodiment consists of a sheet ofhook and loop fastening material that will mate with the hook and loopfastening material means attached to the back of the halter and hasstraps that allow it to be attached to any type of seat or chair. Theelongate straps that are attached to the rear of the traction member maybe wrapped around the back of a chair or around the headrest of anautomobile or airline seat.

These and other features and objects of the present invention can bebest understood upon study of the attached specification and drawings,of which the following is a brief description thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the combination of a halter andtraction member attached to a chair with a seat occupant shown inphantom.

FIG. 2 shows the traction member of the present invention mounted to theback of a chair.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a thoracic halter as disclosed by thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken along lines 4--4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a wheelchair with a traction member as disclosed by thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 shows a patient wearing a thoracic halter as disclosed by thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 shows a patient wearing a second embodiment of the halter, alsoas disclosed by the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment of the traction member removablyattached to an automobile seat.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the thoracic halter asdisclosed by the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The basic features of the present invention can be best understood upona study of FIGS. 1-4 and 6. As shown in FIG. 1, the back traction deviceor assembly 10 consists of a thoracic halter 12 and an associatedtraction member or device 14. The halter is attached to a patient shownin phantom at 16, and the traction member 14 is removably attached tochair 18. It is to be understood that traction member 14 has a securingsurface facing outwardly from chair 18, and halter 12 has a secondsecuring surface formed facing outwardly away from the rear of patientor user 16 that mates with the securing surface on traction member 14.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, a prefered embodiment of traction member 14consists of hook and loop fastening material securing surface 20 and twotop tie members 22 and 24 that are associated with bottom tie members 26and 28. In the preferred embodiment, the tie members all have matinghook and loop fastening material surfaces that are attached to eachother on the rear of back 30 of chair 18. Since ties 22, 24, 26, 28 allhave hook and loop fastening material attachments, the length of theseties may be adjusted to suit a particular chair back length. Inaddition, these ties would allow the traction member to be fitted arounda headrest or other type of seat.

The details of thoracic halter 12 as disclosed by the present inventionmay be best understood from FIG. 3. As seen in FIG. 3, thoracic halter12 consists of an elongate central portion 32 and two elongate wingportions 34 and 36. Elongate central portion 32 has two elongate hookand loop fastening material portions 38 extending along its entirelength that overlie support ribs 40. Further hook and loop fasteningmaterial members 42 are disposed on each side of the support ribs 40.Wing 34 is formed with hook and loop fastening material portion 44, andwing 36 is formed with mating hook and loop fastening material portion46 on the opposite side thereof.

As can best be seen from FIG. 6, this halter is fitted around thepatient or user with wing 36 overlying wing 34 around the waist of thepatient 16, and elongate central portion 32 extends upwardly along back54 of patient 16.

As can be understood from these figures, the hook and loop fasteningmaterial strips 38 that are formed extending outwardly from the rear ofhalter 12 will align and be adjustably secured to hook and loopfastening material portion 20 on traction member 14. This transfers someof the pressure from the disc of the lower back through the halter 12 totraction member 14 to allow the chair to carry the load.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-section along lines 4--4 in FIG. 3 and shows thecomposition of halter 12. As can be seen from FIG. 4, the intermediatesection or central portion 32 is formed of strengthened support ribs 40that are partially overlaid by hook and loop fastening material portions38. It is an important feature of this invention that the hook and loopfastening material portions 38 overlie support ribs 40, since this willaid in transferring the load from the halter 12 to the traction member14 and therethrough to chair 18.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which awheelchair 48 has a securing surface such as hook and loop fasteningmaterial portion 52 permanently attached to the rear 50 of thewheelchair seat. The present invention envisions a permanent attachmentof the securing surface to the seat back whenever a seat is dedicated,that is, used exclusively by a wearer of this type of halter. Of course,this wheelchair could also have been fitted by a traction member ordevice similar to member 14 having the ties 22, 24, 26, 28.

FIG. 7 shows a patient 16 wearing a modified halter 56 that does nothave the enlarged central section such as shown by the first embodimentof the halter. The halter 56 is more of a cummerbund shape but doesinclude securing portion 58 that will again be secured to the tractionmember 14.

FIG. 8 illustrates a most preferred embodiment of the invention. Asshown in FIG. 8, traction member 60 consists of an enlarged centralportion 62 and two opposed wing portions 64. The enlarged centralportion 62 has a securing portion 66 formed on a portion of the surfacethereof. The two wing portions 64 each have a mating securing portion 68formed on their surface area. The securing portions are preferablyformed of hook and loop fastening material securing means or fasteners.Belts 70 extend from the top of central portion 62 and removably securetraction device or member 62 to an automobile seat, such as theautomobile seat back 74. As illustrated in FIG. 8, straps 70 have beenconnected by a belt buckle 72 that allows the straps to be adjusted tosecurely hold traction member 60 to seat 74. Straps 70 are shown asattaching traction member 60 to head rest 76 by wrapping around thecolumns 78 of head rest 76.

FIG. 9 shows an improved thoracic halter 80 for use with traction member60. Thoracic halter 80 has a central portion 82 and two opposed wingportions 84. The two opposed wing portions 84 each have hook and loopfastening material securing means, not illustrated, similar to hook andloop fastening material portions 44, 46 illustrated in FIG. 3. Securingportions 86 are formed on the rear surface of thoracic halter 80 atpositions laterally spaced from central securing portions 88, 90, and92. As illustrated, there are relatively long strips 88 and relativelyshorter central and end strips 90 and 92. The strips 88 are of a firstlongitudinal extent being measured from the vertical when the patient iswearing halter 80. The longitudinal extent of securing portion 66, beingmeasured from the vertical when the traction device 60 is mounted to aseat 74, is of a second longitudinal extent that is shorter than thefirst longitudinal extent. This difference in longitudinal extentbetween the securing portions on the halter 80 and traction member 60allows halter 80 to be mounted at any one of several positions withrespect to traction member 60. This allows the combination to beutilized by various sizes of patients or users.

Hook and loop fastening materials available under the Trademark Velcro™,are representative of the hook and loop type fasteners which may be usedas the securing surfaces in this invention.

Preferred embodiment of the present invention have been disclosed;however, certain modifications will be obvious to one of ordinary skillin the art. The intended scope of Applicant's invention can be bestunderstood upon a reading of the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A method of relieving some of the pressure on the disc ofthe lower back of a person comprising the steps of:(A) securing a halteraround the person's waist; (B) securing a traction device to a chairhaving a seat; and (C) adjustably attaching the halter to the tractiondevice when the person is seated in the seat; (D) said halter beingformed with hook and loop fastener portions at its rear and the tractiondevice being formed with mating hook and loop fastener portions thatsecures the halter to the traction device, the use of the hook and loopfastener portions allowing the traction device and the halter to beadjustably attached at any one of a variety of positions.
 2. A method asrecited in claim 1, and further wherein said traction device is attachedas part of the upholstery on the back of a wheelchair.
 3. A method asrecited in claim 1, and wherein said traction device has two straps thatallow it to be secured to a chair, said two straps having a belt buckleassociated therewith to allow them to be secured to a chair.
 4. A methodas recited in claim 1, and further wherein said traction device hook andloop fastener portions extending for a first distance measured along alongitudinal direction that will correspond to the vertical when thetraction device is positioned on a chair, said halter hook annd loopfastener portions extending for a second distance measured along alongitudinal direction that will correspond to the vertical when thehalter is positioned on a person, said second distance being greaterthan said first distance.
 5. A method as recited in claim 4, and whereinthe surface of said traction device hook and loop fastener portions hasa first central portion and two opposed wing portions mounted laterallyspaced from said central portion and said halter securing surface alsohas a first central portion and two opposed wing portions mountedlaterally spaced from said central portion, said central portions ofsaid halter and said traction device mating with each other when aperson is seated, and said wing portions of said halter and saidtraction device also mating when a person is seated.
 6. A method asrecited in claim 5, and further wherein said halter has a pair oflongitudinally extending support ribs, said central portion of saidhalter securing surface at least partially overlying said support ribs.7. A method as recited in claim 6, and wherein said traction device hastwo straps that allow it to be secured to a chair, said two strapshaving a belt buckle associated therewith to allow them to be secured toa chair.
 8. A method as recited in claim 1, and further wherein saidchair is an airplane seat.
 9. A method as recited in claim 1, andfurther wherein said chair is an automobile seat.
 10. A method ofrelieving some of the pressure on the disc of the lower back of a personcomprising the steps of:(A) securing a halter around the person's waist;(B) securing a traction device to the upholstery on a back of awheelchair; and (C) attaching the halter to the traction device byattaching means while the person is seated in the wheelchair; (D)wherein said halter is formed with hook and loop fastener portions atits rear that overlie support ribs of the halter and the traction deviceis formed with mating hook and loop fastener portions that act as thesecuring means for securing the halter, the use of hook and loopfastener portions allowing the traction device and the halter to beadjustably attached at any one of a variety of positions.
 11. A methodof relieving some of the pressure on the disc of the lower back of aperson comprising the steps of:(A) securing a halter around the person'swaist; (B) securing a traction device to a chair or the like having aseat; and (C) attaching the halter to the traction device by attachingmeans while the person is seated in the seat; (D) wherein said halter isformed with hook and loop fastener portions at its rear that overliesupport ribs of the halter and the traction device is formed with matinghook and loop fastener portions that act as the securing means forsecuring the halter, the use of hook and loop fastener portions allowingthe traction device and the halter to be adjustably attached at any oneof a variety of positions.